Toledo Reporter

Toledo, OH – On August 30, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced that Mercy Health will receive a $198,033 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service Grant from the United States Department of Health & Human Services Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. This grant award will be used to help fund a program dedicated to mental health and substance abuse training for emergency medical services professionals in rural areas across Northwest Ohio. The award is for training of EMS.  

“In Congress I have long championed availability and expansion of mental health services, and have advocated for robust funding while serving on the House Appropriations Committee. This award to Mercy Health for substance training for Emergency Medical Services in rural areas will assist Northwest Ohio communities that have been medically underserved for far too long,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “Studies have shown a significant increase in mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, over the past three years. This HHS funding will help to ensure that first responders in rural communities have access to the support they need to address mental health issues and substance abuse they face on the job."    

“We know access to care close to home significantly impacts health outcomes for patients, and this is especially true in our rural communities. As behavioral health care needs and substance use disorder grow in northwest Ohio, it is essential that our emergency response teams have the latest training and resources at their fingertips to best care for patients,” said Bob Baxter, President, Mercy Health – Toledo. “This grant will be instrumental in expanding training opportunities for our EMS teams as they respond to behavioral health and substance use disorder calls in our rural communities.”   

Original source can be found here.